Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0001211

  • The Headquarters in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Transportation Energy Resources From Renewable Agriculture (TERRA)" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.135 Advanced Research Projects Agency Energy.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Feb 2, 2015 and posted on Oct 1, 2014.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 2, 2015 Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their applications at least 48 hours in advance of the submission.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • The funding agency has allocated a total of $30,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $10,000,000.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
  • Please see Section III.A. of FOA Number DE FOA 0001211 for additional information on eligibility.
Apply for DE FOA 0001211

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Opportunity Summary:

The Transportation Energy Resources From Renewable Agriculture (TERRA) funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0001211) is an ARPA-E research and development grant program focused on advancing science and technology that can convert renewable agricultural resources into transportation energy solutions. The funding is offered as cooperative agreements, meaning awardees should expect active Federal involvement during the project period (for example, technical coordination, milestone reviews, and other engagement typical of ARPA-E awards). The opportunity sits under CFDA 81.135 (Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy) and is positioned as a discretionary R and D competition rather than a formula or entitlement program.

This posting represents a modification to the original FOA and is primarily administrative and compliance-oriented rather than a complete re-scope of the technical goals. The modification specifically clarifies the base cost share requirement (Section III.B.1 of the FOA) and clarifies circumstances and rules for a reduced cost share requirement (Section III.B.3). It also updates the referenced Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) information, with changes called out in Sections III.B.6 and IV.G.2. In practical terms, applicants needed to re-check the FOA language on how much non-Federal cost share is required, whether they might qualify for a reduced cost share, and which regulatory requirements govern budgeting, allowability, and award administration, because ARPA-E explicitly revised or clarified those points.

In terms of scale, ARPA-E anticipated making about 10 awards with an estimated total program funding level of $30,000,000. Individual awards were expected to range from a $250,000 floor up to a $10,000,000 ceiling, indicating the program could support both smaller, narrowly targeted projects and larger, more integrated demonstrations or multi-part technical efforts. Cost sharing is required for this opportunity, which is a key planning factor for applicants because it affects total project financing, partner commitments, and the credibility of the commercialization or deployment pathway.

Eligibility was listed as unrestricted, meaning the competition was broadly open to many entity types, subject to the detailed eligibility language in Section III.A of the FOA. In typical ARPA-E practice, that often includes universities, private companies (including startups), national laboratories (subject to applicable rules), nonprofits, and consortia, though applicants would need to rely on the FOA text for any specific limitations, teaming requirements, or restrictions tied to cost share treatment and project roles.

The application process was handled through ARPA-E eXCHANGE, ARPA-E's required electronic submission portal. A critical procedural point is that ARPA-E stated it would not review or consider concept papers submitted through any other method, so compliance with the portal submission process was mandatory. Applicants were directed to consult the ARPA-E eXCHANGE User Guide for step-by-step submission guidance, which is especially relevant for teams unfamiliar with ARPA-E formatting, file naming, form completion, and the portal's validation checks. The announcement also urged applicants to submit at least 48 hours before the deadline to reduce the risk of last-minute technical issues preventing on-time submission.

Key dates tied to this modified opportunity include a posted date of October 1, 2014, an original closing date of November 17, 2014, and a revised current closing date of March 2, 2015, reflecting that the solicitation timeline was extended after the original deadline. The archive date was May 17, 2015. For applicants needing help accessing the full announcement or dealing with administrative issues, the listed contact was Kelly M. Harper, Contract Specialist, reachable at kelly.harper@hq.doe.gov.

To review the complete and authoritative requirements, applicants were instructed to obtain the full FOA directly from the ARPA-E website (arpa-e-foa.energy.gov), since the detailed technical scope, submission components, evaluation criteria, and the exact cost share rules are controlled by the FOA text and its referenced sections.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - TERRA (DE-FOA-0001211)

What is the TERRA funding opportunity?

The Transportation Energy Resources From Renewable Agriculture (TERRA) program is an ARPA-E research and development (R&D) funding opportunity focused on advancing science and technology that can convert renewable agricultural resources into transportation energy solutions.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number for TERRA?

The Funding Opportunity Number is DE-FOA-0001211.

What type of funding instrument will ARPA-E use for awards under this opportunity?

ARPA-E indicated that awards will be made as cooperative agreements.

What does it mean that the awards are cooperative agreements?

Cooperative agreements involve active Federal involvement during the project period. ARPA-E noted examples such as technical coordination, milestone reviews, and other engagement typical of ARPA-E awards.

Is this opportunity a formula or entitlement program?

No. It is described as a discretionary R&D competition rather than a formula or entitlement program.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 81.135 (Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy).

Is this posting the original FOA or an update?

This posting represents a modification to the original FOA, and the changes are described as primarily administrative and compliance-oriented rather than a complete re-scope of the technical goals.

What did the modification change or clarify?

The modification clarifies (1) the base cost share requirement (Section III.B.1), (2) the circumstances and rules for a reduced cost share requirement (Section III.B.3), and (3) the referenced Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) information, with changes called out in Sections III.B.6 and IV.G.2.

Why is the cost share clarification important for applicants?

The modification means applicants needed to re-check the FOA language to confirm how much non-Federal cost share is required, whether they might qualify for a reduced cost share, and which regulatory requirements govern budgeting, allowability, and award administration.

Is cost sharing required for this opportunity?

Yes. Cost sharing is required and is described as a key planning factor for applicants.

Does the FOA mention reduced cost share?

Yes. The modification clarifies circumstances and rules for a reduced cost share requirement in Section III.B.3 of the FOA.

How many awards did ARPA-E expect to make?

ARPA-E anticipated making about 10 awards.

What was the estimated total program funding level?

The estimated total program funding level was $30,000,000.

What is the expected award size range?

Individual awards were expected to range from $250,000 to $10,000,000.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility was listed as unrestricted, subject to the detailed eligibility language in Section III.A of the FOA.

Where can applicants find the authoritative eligibility rules?

Applicants were directed to rely on the full FOA text, particularly Section III.A, for the complete and authoritative eligibility requirements.

How do applicants submit an application?

Applications must be submitted through ARPA-E eXCHANGE, ARPA-E's required electronic submission portal.

Will ARPA-E accept submissions sent by email or other methods?

No. ARPA-E stated it would not review or consider concept papers submitted through any method other than ARPA-E eXCHANGE.

What guidance is available for using ARPA-E eXCHANGE?

Applicants were directed to consult the ARPA-E eXCHANGE User Guide for step-by-step submission guidance, including portal-related requirements such as formatting, file naming, form completion, and validation checks.

When should applicants submit to reduce the risk of technical issues?

ARPA-E urged applicants to submit at least 48 hours before the deadline to reduce the risk that last-minute technical issues could prevent on-time submission.

What is the posted date for this modified opportunity?

The posted date is October 1, 2014.

What was the original closing date, and what is the revised closing date?

The original closing date was November 17, 2014, and the revised (current) closing date was March 2, 2015.

What does it mean that there was a revised closing date?

It indicates the solicitation timeline was extended after the original deadline.

When was the archive date?

The archive date was May 17, 2015.

Who is the listed contact for administrative questions or access issues?

The listed contact is Kelly M. Harper, Contract Specialist.

What is the contact email address?

The email address provided is kelly.harper@hq.doe.gov.

Where should applicants get the complete FOA and official requirements?

Applicants were instructed to obtain the full FOA directly from the ARPA-E website at arpa-e-foa.energy.gov, because detailed technical scope, submission components, evaluation criteria, and cost share rules are controlled by the FOA text and referenced sections.

Which FOA sections were specifically called out in the modification?

The modification specifically referenced Sections III.B.1, III.B.3, III.B.6, and IV.G.2.

What kinds of project scales could this program support based on the award range?

Based on the stated award range, ARPA-E indicated the program could support both smaller, narrowly targeted projects and larger, more integrated demonstrations or multi-part technical efforts.

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